Super Abundant Three year old sub-tropical Food-Forest -How to Restore Ecosystems by producing food

[@pascalxus]

Love this! thank you for the melon pepino and pigeon pea recommendation! I'm totally trying those out.

[@r-a-s]

You can find Pigeon Pea available as seed, but i think Melon-pepino is only available as a cutiing or plant.

[@zorrochilla]

great!

[@HealthCommunitiesUg-x7l]

Wow. Thank you for sharing brother. Happy to learn from you from Uganda 🇺🇬. Kayemba Enock

[@MaxSwedenAgroforestry]

Been waiting for an update! Amazing!

[@r-a-s]

thanks for your patience!

[@dickinsonw6]

Awesome cutting info thanks,

[@cresentiae]

Thank you #SaveSoil #Consciousplanet

[@JulieCresswell-s1x]

Love installment 2, can't wait for more. Changing the world leaf by leaf 🌿 more power to you ✊

[@r-a-s]

hey! thanks for the power.

[@TheWildlandsGarden]

We're on a similar journey albeit in Portugal and our food forest is just starting it's second year 🌱

[@r-a-s]

many blessings , may your project thrive!

[@timalbers4690]

trying to do the same in central portugal: dry hot in summer, wet in winter but can just be a bit frosty once in a while ( 400m high) . do you think it might work? guess better no bananas etc but false peppers, fox gloves,moringa, pigeon pees, sorghum, melon pepino, sugar canes? what do you think?

[@elicemcohen]

You read our minds. My husband and I were watching your first video and told each other hoping to have a new one and here it is. Sending you lots of positive energy and abundance from valencia ❤🎉🏳️‍🌈

[@JeromeArmstrong]

We are just starting our year two of the fruit and nut orchard in Tanzania. It was rough getting the water situation fixed but now that it is everything is growing.

[@r-a-s]

many blessings to your new project!

[@benpedro6099]

These are great videos! Please do more! We are getting started in a very hot part of Valencia so this is really handy. Thanks for listing the plants in the description 🙏

[@Iszeroenough]

Hi, in case you didn’t know; the banana blossom and the banana stem are also edible, and super nutritious. You can find many recipes and information on them online. Enjoy and keep up the magnificent work 🙏👍❣️

[@r-a-s]

yes I have seen a documentary from Ethiopia where they grate the banana stem into a container, then they bury the container in the ground for some months to ferment and then its eaten as a staple food. yes i have also tried banana flower curry. i hear the banana leaf is medicinal, but not really a tasty edible.

[@bigsRus]

YES!!!!!🧡💛💚💙💜

[@joelnagle2214]

Thanks for the update Ras really interesting channel 👍🏻 I think the idea that forests can increase rainfall definitely deserves attention by people like yourself and the scientific community. One thing that I always found Counter intuitive is that the rainforests eg. Amazon have notoriously poor soil even with all the decaying plant matter?

[@r-a-s]

Greetings, i will try to make a video in the future about how forests make it rain in a balanced way. basically the forest canopies create cool areas. and humidity is attracted to cooler areas. trees sweat out (transpire) up to 95 percent of the water that they drink, which creates lots of humidity in the air, the forest creates small particles which can help the humidity form into cluds , such as pollen, spores, algae, and other micro-organisms. we can also create rivers in the sky by creating lines of forest across continents by following the windsfrom the seas and the oceans. i am not sure, but think alot of the fertility of the soil in the amazon is trapped in the living biomass, and as soon as something dies and breaks down its sucked up by the living beings. if we slash and burn the forest, there is only poor clay left, but if you slash and char instead, and compost the biomass then you can create long lasting magic soil called Terra Preta!

[@takanomemihawk7860]

thank you for this beautifull presentation of the plants!

[@florenciaaranda2355]

Thank you for such a good explanation and useful examples!! Hug you from Uruguay ❤

[@r-a-s]

Thank you!

[@Goldifarms]

You’re back!! I’d been wondering if you’d come back. I’m glad you’re back. 💛✨🌼✨💛

[@r-a-s]

thanks! hopefully not to long til next video. lets see!

[@ericscott5895]

Continue to blossom 🌸

[@MaxLemayian]

Wow! Thank you for all details and great plant experiance and ideas!! Well done! 🥬🥦🍌🌳💚

[@r-a-s]

thank you!

[@nerd4rocks]

I am on a Syntropic video binge, and you are VERY informative on the why's and the interactions between the trees - SUPER Helpful. Genuinely, Thank you!

[@GoOutandExplore]

It’s good to see you again, even if in digital form 😅 Take care and many blessings your way! 🤗🍀✨

[@r-a-s]

thanks!

[@jlfoodforest]

Awesome explanation on the taro! Thank you ❤

[@jasonjayalap]

Thank you. I will digesting this video for a while. One Chayote tip: I, too, was taught that chayote seeds need their fruit. Then I saw a youtube video of a guy eating the fruit and planting just the seeds. I tried it myself on a fruit that already began to sprout (cut the fruit in half carefully and the seed pops out. Even if you damage the seed it's ok). It grew normally! Vital cooking notes: Chayote fruit can be eaten at any stage. Try a small one raw. (I have the smooth skin type). Or let it grow, but when it's big the skin becomes inedible and needs to peeled before or after cooking (both are tedious). And equally important is that if the skin too tough to eat, the web/fabric like area around the seeds must be scrapped out and discarded as well (or your guests will be pulling it out of their teeth). I suggest picking them before the skin is inedible.

[@r-a-s]

hey thats interesting, i will look into it, i can see that if the seed is planted straight away how it could work. but it seems the chayote uses the water in the fruit to help it get started.

[@leemichaeljenkins7060]

Love it , I hope to become a land owner in Portugal in the coming months and I am looking for more inspiration for my land. Great to see somebody doing it in the same climate as the Algarve . I will keep tuned in to you guys , I am feeling inspired! Thanks

[@r-a-s]

great! thanks!

[@leemichaeljenkins7060]

i think that you have some great tips for me , the trees and shrubs i need to start work on this sort of harsh enviroment. i will send you some picture when i have the land. i hope that bi can getz started soon. JENX

[@AntonColores]

Been waiting for an update as well, lovely. Lot of inspiration 🤩

[@r-a-s]

thanks for your patience and kind words!

[@gerardoducos1864]

I waited a year for the second video it is totally worthy. Awesome project! Also, Ras, you are a great communicator and educator. Keep the videos coming, even shorter ones. Looking forward to the story around the olive tree in the plot.

[@r-a-s]

Thank you, yes i will also do some shorter form content in the future!

[@guiagrace1]

I have been waiting!...

[@r-a-s]

thank you for returning!

[@dorianthomas-brondeau2630]

Long time waiting... Patience...Oh! Many thanks for this new video. Thank to take time to share your experience. Passionating! Did you have some chinese yam (airy potatoes E.Toensmeier) or Hablitzia tamnoides? I'm very glad to know family growing ;°D

[@r-a-s]

greetings, no, i do not grow shan yao yam, neither do i grow caucasion spinach, but i do grow another type of amaranth called calaloo.

[@nateblackmore]

Plantago is Plantaginaceae and Banana, Musa, is Musaceae. Different familys. But your farm looks great! I am growing in a similar climate and growing many similar species

[@r-a-s]

Greetings yes you are right! i realized the mistake yesterday when i was watching the video, you will see in the description i made a correction!

[@awomanmadeyou]

Great video. We are regenerating our 11 acre food forest that burned in forest fire 3 years ago. We've planted a lot and things are going very well, but I'm inspired to plant much denser and fill every nook & cranny. Your video is good proof of my hypothesis. Forward ever. Blessed love

[@r-a-s]

greetings, blessings with your project. yes overplant. overgrow. ! fill it up.

[@celt456]

Thanks for this informative and inspiring post. I live in Portugal and started a food forest along syntropic agriculture lines last autumn with seeds and cuttings. Your video is very helpful and gives lots of ideas for planning future planting and expanding variety. Again, many thanks!

[@r-a-s]

great! thanks! blessings with your project!

[@timalbers4690]

trying to do the same in central portugal: dry hot in summer, wet in winter but can just be a bit frosty once in a while ( 400m high) . do you think it might work? guess better no bananas etc but false peppers, fox gloves,moringa, pigeon pees, sorghum, melon pepino, sugar canes? what do you think?

[@celt456]

@@timalbers4690 Yes, shame about no bananas. I think an increasingly wide variety of fruit, veg and trees is possible as the moisture content and nutients of the soil improves through 'chop and drop'. Some trees were already here and I am filling in between them to create a food forest, plantng things closely, in one small area at a time (this is my first year), due to needing to be careful with water while things get established. But, off the top of my head, as well as usual veg, I have: apples, pears, plums, figs, vines, persimmon, peaches, nectarines, elderflower, hackberry (fast growing tree for shade), pawlonia, almond, citrus, olives, loquats, canes, cape gooseberries, amaranth, lemon grass, hawthorn, possibly pomegranate (the cutting looks like it might not make it) . . I haven't tried planting moringa, pigeon peas, melon pepino, false peppers, or sorghum yet; but plan to expand the range and experiment with more unusual things as I go along. Good luck with your project.

[@celt456]

@@timalbers4690. . . also, herbs as ground cover, medicinal and culinary use.

[@ianking-jv4hg]

good, Grow, GRow, GROW ! ! !

[@jan5580]

Amazing content. Keep it going. Really love it!!

[@r-a-s]

thank you!

[@chessman483]

Thanks really enjoyed. Ordered some Pepino melon cuttings as soon as you started talking about them. Our food forest is just about 2.5 years old and doing well. But have a lack of variety in there at this point as been away for 15 months. Everyday ordering something atm. Cheers for the Tip👍

[@torheggelund1608]

Been waiting for a new vid !!! Can’t wait to see more

[@r-a-s]

thanks Tor!

[@johnnywahba9914]

Excellent video. Very inspiring and helpful for anyone planning to plant an edible forest. ✌🏼❤

[@piotrcyrzan9316]

beautiful stuff. inspiring ✌

[@r-a-s]

thanks!

[@svensebastianhorner]

Excited to get an update from your project. Can't wait until I have time to watch it.

[@r-a-s]

Thanks Sven!

[@mena2138]

lovely, how does the pigeon pea respond to the cold?

[@AMPProf]

It depends.. So if they start cold not so bad mild is best.. However, if say Have cold freeze not so much without a cover and heater

[@AMPProf]

Deep cold they sleep mild they rest Hot they wilt so mid mild

[@r-a-s]

until 0c they seem to be fine. have not seen a big freeze in the last few winters. but worst i have seen it here was minus 4c many years ago.

[@redhotsizzle2121]

Its fun to track the progress!

[@MrMaxKeane]

I have waited for you guys to make another video!

[@r-a-s]

thanks for your patience!

[@LUNGHIX]

I found your channel and I saw the first video. I would like to see more (more frequently). Maybe just short videos...

[@r-a-s]

welcome! yes i think it is a good idea! i will try some short formats as well as long.

[@stephenmoss9842]

Thanks you for another very informative video, it was worth the wait.

[@r-a-s]

Thanks Stephen!

[@naturalchefshobhan6667]

Again, very interesting. I already grow Pera Melao in Portugal. Such a lovely fruit. Great I can take cuttings so easily, I didn't know that, will do some soon. Great information, really can't wait to start my own food forest!

[@gustavoganso3244]

Very nice! I would be interested to hear about watermanagement at your side.

[@r-a-s]

all tree lines and vegetable beds are built on contour by the founder of the project, we irrigate with a ancient moorish system called ´Acequias´, which are man-made channels which divert river water, the river water has come from snow melt and spring water from the Sierra Nevada mountains. we then divert that water into a drip irrigation system.

[@dnbkdang_mypeacefullife]

Such an abundant life!

[@markus_selloi]

Different plantain. The herbs are from the Plantainacea family, and bananas are in the ginger family, the zingiberaceae. Both families are highly nutritious, but the relation between those two is reeeally far. Lovely project

[@r-a-s]

Greetings yes you are right! i realized the mistake just after i posted the video, you will see in the description i made a correction!

[@phrayzar]

That's interesting the vine Chayote looks just like what we in Australia call the Choko( or dunny door fruit). They grow wild pretty much everywhere and were an important source of food during the depression and war years.

[@r-a-s]

yes! its the same thing !

[@anthonytroia1]

Love the videos and love your cool shirts 😎😉

[@evam.3351]

Great update thanks a lot. We are on a land in southern Spain just across the river from Coto Doñana National Park! Two quedtions: 1. How is you irigation sistem set up? We are discussing where we need "goteros" and where not, our land has almost no slope but I will still try some swales. 2. Where do you get the nice cuttings/seed to start your diversity? Any local/andalusian source where one could order? I am even thinking of starting an outdoor nursery like edible acres....😂 Thank you for your great work❤

[@r-a-s]

all tree lines and vegetable beds are built on contour by the founder of the project, we irrigate with a ancient moorish system called ´Acequias´, which are man-made channels which divert river water, the river water has come from snow melt and spring water from the Sierra Nevada mountains. we then divert that water into a drip irrigation system. no there is not a one stop shop for genetics, i get a little from everywhere.internet, garden centres and friends, but i do put some seeds in our local seed bank, butv they do not send. only buy in person. yes, we should all start nurseries to spread the good stuff!

[@daveangel9096]

Really good these. Keep it up please.

[@r-a-s]

Thanks Dave!

[@vineleak7676]

Correction about Plantain and Plantain weed... The Plantain bananas are just normal bananas that are harvested unripe when the starches have not converted to sugar to be cooked, any plantain banana will become sweet with ripening but some varieties of bananas have been selected to be used for cooking, that is why some varieties are traditionally used as a starchy cooking ingredients rather than a sweet fruit. The Plantain weeds (Plantago sp.) that we fin in Europe are completely unrelated to bananas, they just have the same name... they are not even in the same Clade

[@beadsapp808]

What is the highest and lowest temperatures you have? I'm wondering if it similar to what mine is.

[@r-a-s]

on my thermometers i have seen it from minus 4c to 47c and higher, but we don't normally go below zero. normally every 5-15 years we get a cold winter.

[@beadsapp808]

@@r-a-s Your temperature is almost exactly what mine is in the USA Arizona desert. I was wondering how you were keeping bananas and tropical. Have you tried Papayas? They grow very fast? I try bananas but they stay little and some don't make the winter any advice on them is greatly appreciated. Thank you for your time and videos. I am trying to get a food forest going but due to my limitations I can't do everything I would like to do.. I do have 80 fruit trees and over 100 vines and berries so right there I'm proud of. If you want to try papayas let me know I can see if I can ship seeds to you.

[@ArosIrwin]

I love this channel. Do you guys worry about the trend of less water in southern Spain? Have you seen the weather changing in the years you've been there? How do you protect your developing project from wildfires? If I ever get the time, I'll come down for a visit!

[@elagraves6757]

It has just rained 77. mm in one day with snow on the high Sierra. We have had good rains since new year.

[@humanbeingnotahumandoing1]

​@@elagraves6757i live in the west of sevilla in aljarafe and my local friends told me that there was not that much rain like this year since ~2004 So now is the time to use the water that is coming down, in a clever way to regenerate the landscape instead of drying it out🙏

[@r-a-s]

yes, its a complicated issue, my crazy belief is that large scale polycultural reforestation can bring back rains, so thats what we are trying to do. its a vicious circle, forests bring rains and balance the hydrological cycle. but forests also burn. so trying to grow forests with trees and plants which are less likely to burn such as cacti, and by keeping everything well pruned there should be little to no dead wood that can strengthen fires. we also need to work on farm-scale emergency-plans to control fires. most Spanish farmers burn all of their biomass, so that does not hep with the fire risk!

[@native_earth916]

I agree and I don't think it's a crazy belief at all as it is forest systems that play a role in the regulation of the humidity, air temperature and surface water penetration on land masses I think you are spot on! @r-a-s

[@native_earth916]

​@r-a-s I own a non profit permaculture education and demonstration group here in California and I was wondering if you would be willing or able to send a few pups of the canary banana to our demonstration site here in fair oaks California? I think it is an ideal cultivar for our climate we grow a few varieties of Musa already but really trying to hone in on the one that is naturalized to a similar range as ours! In gratitude -Matthew

[@danielriddellsfoodforestgarden]

Great. Too long between 😊

[@RoadToSelfSufficiency]

will u guys do more internships in the upcoming years ?

[@r-a-s]

Yes, not exactly sure when the next one will be, but probably in late 2024 or early 2025. and probably 5-6 months long.

[@pepito4208]

i was waiting for too long for this hehe , amazing work¡ thanks for uploading¡¡ do MOREEE¡

[@AMPProf]

WOOOO PART 2 heyyy

[@r-a-s]

thank you!

[@bengrahamvandersandt2477]

stunning

[@r-a-s]

Thanks!

[@2dreamalive]

Great stuff🙏! As many here, we are also in Portugal, building up a permaculture food forest 💚. What was the acid you mentioned that paulownia and eucalyptus give?

[@r-a-s]

when we chop or prune any plant it gives off a growth hormone called giberillic acid, so if i prune a tree next to a tree that i do not prune , then the tree that i have not pruned will grow more, not just because we have given it more light and mulch, but also because of the release of growth hormones by its neighbour, i give a brief explanation in the first video.

[@2dreamalive]

Thank you! I hadn’t caught the name/spelling of the hormone: Giberillic acid 👍🌱💚.

[@simonallan8025]

Great video , it would be interesting to see a comparison from soil not worked to the veg beds worked with chop and drop etc, I put 4" of wood chip on a three hundred foot mixed shrub and flower border as an experiment, what a difference and I've never seen so many worms working underneath, many thanks for the video..brilliant.

[@gianfrancotodaro5215]

Thaaaaak youuuu❤

[@PermacultureStorytelling]

wonderful, it's so good to have another one of your videos up: education and inspiration, all in one...

[@r-a-s]

thank you!

[@chadders319]

Amazing❤

[@shalomtoday]

👍🌱🌳

[@greifvillum]

Welcome back

[@r-a-s]

thank you!

[@edzardw6450]

Hi there, looks like a wonderful place you have there. In the first video you said you have a "good amount of water". I notice some irrigation lines in the videos as well. How much water is a "good amount"? Do you have a well or a grid hook-up or something? In most of spain, water is the big challenge, I'd love to know what you guys do about that.

[@theplantista25]

Great video! Nice to see an update, are you growing mexican sunflower (Thihonia) ? 🌿🌱

[@AntonColores]

yes, see first video 😉

[@r-a-s]

yea ,,,,,, what Anton Said!

[@theplantista25]

@@r-a-s Great! Thanks for the amazing video

[@familie_weisheit]

❤

[@slowgomera5611]

nice one..saludos from finca Memè la Gomera..

[@AndreeaBgd-f8d]

Can I hear more about internships. Please

[@r-a-s]

we do two days of theory , and two days of practical each week. we follow a PDC curriculum and a theoretical introduction into R,A,S. and Syntropic Ag. we start on the 1st of April until July 1st, you will find all the info at.. www.supernatural-permaculture.com

[@Sly_1927G]

How much rain do you get yearly ? I'd like to start a project like yours but we're getting less and less rain every year (South Italy)

[@r-a-s]

Greetings Federico! we get 300-400 a year. Regenerative Agroforestry Systems should work even in very dry climates. you just need to choose the right species that can deal with dry conditions, plant more densely than wetter climates. but leave more bio mass on the trees than a wetter climate , so that there is more shade, rather than more chop and drop. tree lines can be as close as 2-4 meters to create a closed canopy system as soon as possible to stop the sun hitting the ground. see whats naturally growing in your area with no assistance, and grow those in abundance, then chop and drop . ´´plant water´´ by mulching with cacti and banana stems just as the dry season starts. keep growing!

[@Sly_1927G]

@@r-a-s Wow precious advices, Thank you so much! I'll do my best ;) Actually we used to get 400 sometimes 500mm till 10 yesrs ago but now is like half of that. Anyway no matter what we have to do our best and give a hand to nature!!

[@ichalittlebamboo1467]

Hope your next video is coming out soon! A year is a long wait for news of your forest update!😅

[@r-a-s]

yes, lets see, i hope so! the problem is, i try to do too much by myself, so i am over worked and under paid!. i will start reaching out to the world for support to make it happen! as the content seems wel recieved.

[@tomasyaroschevsky4978]

Great Job buddy!! I wonder how cold it is in winter time, u guys get frost?

[@andresamplonius315]

Physalis peruviana's known in Perú as Aguaymanto or Capulí. Melón pepino's known as Pepino dulce.

[@djbv808]

@R-a-s we have an olive farm near Barcelona do you know where we can buy trees and cuttings from? We love your video its taught us a lot

[@edcat6587]

Thanks! Do you plant the dasheen pups,too?

[@r-a-s]

yes , if they are really small , i will replant them in pots until they have sprouted a few new leaves so that i can bury them deeper! the big pups i eat.

[@andrewk2338]

I was looking forward to the new video release :) Good project. Do you accept volunteers? I would like to work in exchange for seeds, since I bought a plot of land in southern Catalonia of 5 hectares, I want to do syntropic farming.

[@r-a-s]

Greetings! thanks! we are currently only accepting students and volunteers through our internship program. you can see the link above in the description. many blessings for your new project!

[@AntonColores]

the "Canary banana" that you mention, isn't that more the "Latundan banana" a cultivar from the Philippines?

[@r-a-s]

as far as i know the first bananas arrived to the Canary islands from Equitorial Guinea, but the modern variety i believe is a dwarf relation of the Cavendish from England. but the canary banana is far superior in flavour, texture and shape to a normal commercaial cavendish. but please correct me if i am wrong!

[@elisabettat3398]

Thanks for a great video! Are you considering adding Spanish close captions? This way, more people will access this valuable information. Thanks

[@sirnakerb209]

Beautiful farm! I'm planning to start a 8 hectare farm here as well. Do you sell some of your plant seeds? I'm interested in buying some to get things started here!

[@marisaphoenix1893]

Are you going to be making videos more regularly? I can only see a few videos in your channel list.

[@jonathancina]

would you recommend working earth before planting, let's say if you want to make a food forest on abandoned banana plantation terraces where the soil is really poor and compacted ?

[@Electrictheater9]

How do you manage the Eucalyptus tree?

[@thehuntfortruth]

More videos!

[@r-a-s]

thanks hunter!

[@tyronsimpson2143]

Yes Ras

[@lauralucca4184]

Would love to come and volunteer but I am caring for my elderly mother and can't leave her❤😊

[@r-a-s]

bless your works, we are all invited to care for many reflections of the Mother.

[@lauralucca4184]

Thank you R A.S . Carry on with the blessings if your work.

[@shredmetalshred7395]

In American we call the Physalis 'Ground Cherry'

[@AgroflorestaComCavalos]

If you’re ever traveling South America I’d love to invite you to visit my farm where I try to apply agrofestry to feed my cattle and horses and my family 🌱 in Descoberto em Minas Gerais, Brazil.

[@Amadon247]

I love how this guy is basically Radagast, but for trees instead of Animals 😂

[@r-a-s]

thanks for teaching me a new word.

[@jaydenhardingArtist]

wizard

[@heatherphillips8196]

search engines say tomato leaves are edible....??

[@chelseaananda2831]

Hello from the Canary Islands!!! I’m trying to integrate permaculture in our tiny vineyard. The artichoke, sage, rosemary, oregano, pineapple, Jesuit tea, Swiss chard and passion fruit all do very well in the dry, sunny climate. As a ground cover we’ve encouraged the local weeds which often have edible or medicinal properties, as well as a white alyssum which grows happily everywhere! It’s so nice to see what you are doing!!! 🩷🩷🩷 PS - I’ve heard oxalic acid diminishes with cooking - is that correct? And I’ve been taking out the malva thats everywhere as I read many articles saying it’s rather toxic - sounds like it may not be? 🫶🫶🫶

[@r-a-s]

many blessings with your project! keep growing!